Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 97-06-25

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From: The Macedonian Press Agency at http://www.mpa.gr and http://www.hri.org/MPA.

Last Update: 22:36 GMT+2

SECTIONS

[A] GREECE

[B] BALKANS

[C] EUROPE

[D] WORLD

NEWS HEADLINES

[A] GREECE

[B] BALKANS

[C] EUROPE

[D] WORLD

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] GREECE

[01] PATRIARCH OF ALEXANDRIA AND ALL OF AFRICA ON A PRIVATE VISIT TO ATHENS

Web Posted: 15:09 GMT+2

Athens, June 25 (MPA)

Patriarch Petros is to meet with the President of the Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos, the Greek Premier Kostas Simtyisi, the Archbishop of Athens Seraphim, and various other political leaders with whom he will discuss the problems the Patriarchate is faced with.

A.F.

[02] VICTORIA'S PREMIER IN GREECE, MEETS WITH GREEK CULTURE MINISTER

Web Posted: 15:09 GMT+2

Thessaloniki, June 25 (MPA

Mr. Kennet announced the creation of a Greek Museum in Melbourne, the city with the third largest in Greek population city outside Greece.

Mr. Venizelos pledged that the Greek Ministry of Culture will cooperate with the Greek Museum through a series of Greek antiquities exhibitions.

Also, Mr. Venizelos praised Mr. Kennet for the positive stance his government has displayed in regards to the issues concerning Greece's foreign policy, and especially on the issue of the Parthenon Marbles for which Mr. Kennet is a firm supporter of their return to Greece from the British Museum.

A.F.

[03] APOSTLE PAUL'S CONTRIBUTION TO EUROPE'S CULTURE EXAMINED TODAY IN VERIA

Web Posted: 15:09 GMT+2

Veria, June 25 (MPA)

Veria is the city where the podium from where Apostle Paul preached the Bible is saved, according to archaeologists.

A score of local and foreign experts are to attend the four-day conference, which will conclude with a liturgy.

A.F.

[04] STATE UNIVERSITY ENTRANCE EXAMINATIONS START, FIRST EXAM IS COMPOSITION

Web Posted: 15:09 GMT+2

Thessaloniki, June 25 (MPA)

Passing the nation-wide exams is the prerequisite for entering the public university and technical schools.

This year, 170,000 candidates will vie for a chance at a college degree.

A.F.

[05] GREEK AND YUGOSLAV PREMIERS SEE EYE TO EYE AND PRAISE CO-OPERATION

Web Posted: 22:36 GMT+2

Athens, June 25 (MPA)

Both leaders expressed their satisfaction over the course of the two countries' relations and they discussed issues such as bilateral co- operation, promotion of multilateral co-operation among Balkan countries as well as the course of Yugoslavia's inclusion to the international community.

Premier Simitis stated that the political co-operation among the two countries is continuously being strengthened, emphasising that his view is that "all of the Balkan region's countries should participate in this common effort to develop the region, both politically and economically."

In turn, Mr. Kodic expressed his country's gratitude towards Greece and the Greek government's support during the Bosnia-Herzegovina crisis.

The Yugoslav Premier stated that "I am sure that my visit will contribute not only to bilateral co-operation, but to the multiple co-operation opportunities among the Balkan countries."

Referring to bilateral co-operation, Premier Kodic referred to the recently- signed agreements between the two countries, specifically the one that abolishes double taxation and protects investments, and the other which promotes banking co-operation, as well as Mr. Simitis' agreement to make Thessaloniki's port available to Yugoslav ships, as per a trade agreement signed between the Thessaloniki Port Authority and Yugoslavia's Economic Chamber.

[06] YUGOSLAV PREMIER IN ATHENS, MEETS WITH PRESIDENT OF GREEK PARLIAMENT

Web Posted: 22:36 GMT+2

Athens, June 25 (MPA)

The officials discussed the further development of ties between the two countries and issues concerning the Balkan region.

Mr. Kaklamanis assured Mr. Kodic that Greece will continue to be on his country's side, in an effort to ensure the interests of all the Balkan peoples.

Moreover, Mr. Kalkamanis emphasized the exemplary relations between the two countries.

[07] GREEK ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE TO FORM OBSERVATORY

Web Posted: 22:36 GMT+2

Thessaloniki, June 25 (MPA)

The Greek Economic and Social Committee (OKE), which initiated the conference and which conceived the idea of an observatory, will undertake the task of establishing this authority/observatory which will in turn institutionalise co-operation among the south-eastern European social allies and will promote social, political and economic co-operation among these countries and the EU.

Specifically, the observatory will serve as a mechanism that will expedite the process towards an institutional modernisation and promote the updating of the various governments' institutional framework as a necessary pre- condition for harmonising the south-eastern European countries' economies with the demands of the European Union.

Thirty institutes from eight countries participated in the conference: Fifteen trade unions from Romania, Albania, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, Croatia, FYROM and Slovenia and 11 employment associations from Bulgaria, Romania, Albania, Croatia, Slovenia and Turkey.

Greece was represented by 26 social agencies, including the largest workers' and employers' unions.

The meeting was also saluted by the Minister of Macedonia-Thrace Philippos Petsalnikos and the secretaries-general of the Ministries of National Economy and Labour, Apostolos Fotiades and V. Brakatsulas respectively, as well as the Mayor of Thessaloniki Konstantinos Kosmopoulos.

[08] GREEK DEFENSE MINISTER DISCUSSES NATIONAL MATTERS WITH US COUNTERPART

Web Posted: 22:36 GMT+2

Washington, June 25 (MPA)

In his meeting with Mr. Cohen, Mr. Tsochatzopoulos discussed issues of Greek and American interest, such as the current situation in the Balkans, the Aegean and Cyprus, as well as the Turkish aggression.

Mr. Tsochatzopoulos stressed that Turkey needs to comply to international accords.

"There is no way that the Turkish military aircraft will be afforded a special status when they want to enter from the international area into the Aegean.

They too have to act in accordance with the internationally-enforced rules."

The Greek Defense Minister added that "this is not so because Greece demands it. Every country is obligated to do this, submit a flight schedule and state the flight's country of origin, because we have the responsibility of a safe transport of planes and if these measures are not observed then we cannot guarantee the safety of the flights."

In regards to the Cyprus issue, Mr. Tsochatzopoulos stated that a stable and positive development on this issue is the island's accession to the EU.

Mr. Tsochatzopoulos' visit to the US is within the framework of Greece's presidential term in the cross-Atlantic activities of the Western European Union.

Mr. Tsochatzopoulos will also speak before the US Senate Committee and groups of businessmen on issues concerning the defense and the economy.

Tomorrow, Mr. Tsochatzopoulos will visit New York where he will be received by the Archbishop of America Spyridon and will give an address before a Greek-American conference in Astoria.

[09] EUROPEAN AUDIT DEPARTMENT CHIEF RECEIVED BY GREEK PREMIER TODAY

Web Posted: 22:36 GMT+2

Athens, June 25 (MPA)

Following their meeting, the Premier stated that the European Audit Department's aim is to verify whether or not the funds supplied by the EU are properly allocated by the recipient countries.

Mr. Simitis stated that the government is interested in seeing the domestic view from a third eye.

In turn, Mr. Friedman stated that his meeting with the Greek Premier was constructive and expressed a positive view over Greece's handling of the EU funds as well as the state's drop in inflation.

Also today, Mr. Friedman was received by the President of the Greek Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis. The two officials discussed the Greek state's constitutional changes, as well as the process of checking and balancing the state budget.

[10] PRESIDENT OF NORWEGIAN PARLIAMENT ARRIVES IN ATHENS TODAY

Web Posted: 15:09 GMT+2

Athens, June 25 (MPA)

Ms. Grodahl will be received by the President of the Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos, while she will also meet with Mr. Kaklamanis, the Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Yiannos Kranidiotis and the members of the parliamentary group Greek-Scandinavian Friendship.

Moreover, Ms. Grodahl will meet with the leader of the main oppposition party, New Democracy's Kostas Karamanlis and the Mayor of Athens Dimitris Avramopoulos.

A.F.

[B] BALKANS

[11] INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE UNION FOR DEMOCRACY IN THE BALKANS

Web Posted: 15:09 GMT+2

Thessaloniki, June 25 (MPA)

The conference will examine all the parameters that form the cultural atmosphere of South-Eastern Europe. Among the issues that will be discussed are education, the Ottoman heritage, the significance of the economy, the motives of the big powers and their effect on South-Eastern Europe, religion, as well as, cultural and ethnic minorities.

The Union for Democracy in the Balkans was founded in 1995. It is a non- profit society that aims at helping in the development of democratic institutions and the society of citizens in the Balkan and the Black Sea countries.

A.F.

[12] GREEK AND YUGOSLAV BANKS SIGN COOPERATION AGREEMENT

Web Posted: 15:09 GMT+2

Athens, June 25 (MPA)

The governor of Greece's Agrotiki Bank Christos Papathanasiou and the president of Yugoslavia's "Beobanka" Zlatan Perucic signed the aforementioned agreement in Athens, while they also signed a protocol that foresees the overall co-operation between the two banking institutions, thereby expressing their will to further promote bilateral collaboration.

This agreement also foresees the establishment of the necessary prerequisites fort the mutual creation of a bank in Yugoslavia as well as for the promotion of joint ventures in the sectors of leasing, mutual funds and factoring agencies.

A.F.

[13] ALBANIA TO DO AWAY WITH PYRAMID INVESTMENT SCHEMES

Web Posted: 15:09 GMT+2

Tirana, June 25 (MPA)

Meanwhile, 15 persons were killed during the last 24-hour period in violent episodes throughout the country.

Albanian President Sali Berisha has signed a presidential order through which he mandates the abolishment of all pyramid-like investment operations.

A.F.

[14] SERB PRESIDENT: WE WILL NOT CEDE AWAY AN INCH OF KOSSOVO

Web Posted: 22:36 GMT+2

Belgrade, June 25 (MPA)

The Serb President, addressing about 10,000 of his supporters in Pristina, stated that Kossovo must constitute an area of peaceful co-existence among the communities who live there and expressed the hope that the region will soon enjoy economic recovery.

Mr. Milosevic' tour coincides with the closure of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia President Zoran Lilic's term.

Up to now, the only candidate for the presidential post is Milosevic, whose election is almost certain.

[15] ALBANIA: SOCIALIST LEADER FATOS NANO RULES OUT COALITION WITH BERISHA

Web Posted: 22:36 GMT+2

Tirana, June 25 (MPA)

In a press interview, Mr. Nano stated that "in case that Berisha remains as President and as a representative of the old policies, then a solution must be given immediately to the constitutional problem and the Berisha-created juxtaposition between the institutions."

[16] OSCE ENVOY FRANZ VRANITSKI ARRIVES IN TIRANA TODAY

Web Posted: 22:36 GMT+2

Tirana, June 25 (MPA)

The officials addressed issues such as the duration of the voting process and the role of the international force's men during the day of the elections.

Mr. Vranitski is also scheduled to meet with Albanian Premier Bashkim Fino and tomorrow afternoon will be received by President Sali Berisha.

[C] EUROPE

[17] EUROPE'S PROGRESS ON SOCIAL DIALOGUE EXAMINED IN THESSALONIKI

Web Posted: 15:09 GMT+2

Thessaloniki, June 25 (MPA)

OKE has invited representatives of social partners and professional groups in south-eastern Europe to participate at the two-day meeting which started yesterday.

The conference's agenda includes promotion of social, political and economic co-operation among countries in the region and with the EU.

The under-secretary to the Prime Minister George Paschalides saluted the conference as a very significant event and added that "Greece promotes a systematic dialogue with the countries of Southeastern Europe.

"A significant step was taken during the Thessaloniki-held meeting of Southeastern Europe's Foreign Ministers. Every era has its dialogue, every region has its issues. The biggest issue in our region is to restore, through common actions the geo-political extension of Europe into its south- eastern region, up to the Mediterranean, the Middle East and the Black Sea regions, thereby creating a unified and cohesive economic inter-cultural area. The first step is a code of communication, for example to forget the world 'infiltration' and to get used to the word 'co-operation'," Mr. Paschalides stated.

The conference's primary aim is to institutionalise co-operation among the south-eastern European social allies and to establish a permanent observatory that will provide two-way information between the European Union and the region's countries.

Specifically, the organisers would like to form a mechanism that will expedite the process towards an institutional modernisation and promote the updating of the various governments' institutional framework as a necessary pre-condition for harmonising the south-eastern European countries' economies with the demands of the European Union. The participants are looking into promoting the process of a permanent social and economic dialogue among the south-eastern European countries on issues concerning development, employment and immigration.

Participating in the meeting are 30 institutes from eight countries: 15 trade unions from Romania, Albania, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, Croatia, FYROM and Slovenia and 11 employment associations from Bulgaria, Romania, Albania, Croatia, Slovenia and Turkey.

Greece is represented by 26 social agencies, including the largest workers' and employers' unions.

The Meeting was also saluted by the Minister of Macedonia-Thrace Philippos Petsalnikos and the secretaries-general of the Ministries of National Economy and Labour, Apostolos Fotiades and V. Brakatsulas respectively, as well as the Mayor of Thessaloniki Konstantinos Kosmopoulos.

A.F.

[18] MPA ORGANIZES CONFERENCE ON PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT IN S.E. EUROPE

Web Posted: 15:09 GMT+2

Thessaloniki, June 25 (MPA)

This significant two-day event will be declared open by Minister of Communication and Transportations Haris Kastanides and Minister of Macedonia-Thrace Philippos Petsalnikos, while Minister of Press and Media Dimitris Reppas will close the conference.

A.F.

[19] EU COMMISSION'S REPORT: TURKEY DOES NOT MEET EU ACCESSION STANDARDS

Web Posted: 15:09 GMT+2

Brussels, June 25 (MPA)

The report, according to the BBC, will be presented by EU Commissioner Hans Van Den Broek during tomorrow's luncheon of the EU's Foreign Ministers in Luxembourg, an event to be held on the sidelines of the EU Foreign Ministers Council.

Basic prerequisites for further establishing ties between Turkey and the EU, according to the report, are the improvement of Turkey's relations with Greece, the country's overall improvement in its standard of living, improving its human rights record and the non-violent resolution of the /Kurdish minority problem in Turkey's south-eastern provinces.

Moreover, the report refers to Turkey's funding from the MEDA euro- mediterranean economic co-operation program, which will target medium-sized businesses, the protection of consumers, environment, and the promotion of respecting human rights.

The report makes no mention of a specific date for Turkey-EU negotiations and indirectly refers to Turkey's future accession to the Community, yet without undertaking any commitment towards Ankara.

According to the BBC's commentary, all remarks regarding he EU's expansion and Turkey are accompanied by negative assessments, both in the political and the economic and technical sectors.

The central idea of the van den Broek report is to discover ways to upgrade and strengthen ties between Turkey and the EU, but always under strict prerequisites , which are in large related to Turkey's ties with Greece., human rights and the Kurdish issue.

A.F.

[20] JACQUES COUSTEAU DIES AT AGE 87, EARTH AND OCEAN WILL MOURN

Web Posted: 22:36 GMT+2

Paris, June 25 (MPA)

Mr. Cousteau had been a member of the French Academy since 1988. He was famous for his sensational documentaries that gave generation after generation the chance to glimpse into the mysteries of the sea world.

A true environmentalist, Jacques Cousteau had fought like no other for the preservation of sea life and for a cleaner earth, free of nuclear testing.

[D] WORLD

[21] GREEK MINISTER OF DEFENSE IS CURRENTLY IN U.S., MEETS WITH WILLIAM COHEN

Web Posted: 15:09 GMT+2

Washington, June 25 (MPA)

Mr. Tsochatzopoulos is scheduled to meet with the US Secretary of Defense William Cohen, assistant Secretary of State Strode Talbot and US Senators Olympia Snow and Paul Sarbanis.

Moreover, Mr. Tsochatzopoulos will also speak before the US Senate Committee and groups of businessmen on issues concerning the defense and the economy.

Tomorrow. Mr. Tsochatzopoulos will visit New York where he will be received by the Archbishop of America Spyridon and will give an address before a Greek-American conference in Astoria.

A.F.

Complete archives of the Macedonian Press Agency bulletins are available on the MPA Home Page at http://www.mpa.gr/ and on the U.S. mirror at http://www.hri.org/MPA/

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